OpenVPX software-defined radio (SDR) kit with PCI Express and Ethernet introduced by X-ES
MIDDLETON, Wis., 11 Dec. 2013. Extreme Engineering Solutions Inc. (X-ES) in Middleton, Wis., is introducing the XPand1202 OpenVPX software-defined radio (SDR) development system for creating software-defined radio communications technology with VITA-65 boards and interconnects.
The XPand1202 has VITA 67 RF connections, and integrates one XPedite7470 3U OpenVPX Intel Core i7-based single-board computer, as many as four DRS SI-9138 3U VPX VITA 67.1 dual-channel RF receivers, and one DRS SI-7138 3U VPX VITA 67.2 RF frequency reference module.
This standards-based system also includes OpenVPX Ethernet and PCI Express switches, as well as an OpenVPX backplane with 3U VPX VITA 62-compatible power supply slots.
The XPand1202's VITA 67 RF connectors enable the SI-9138 and SI-7138 to access sensitive analog signals through the backplane. This simplifies module installation by removing the need to connect cables manually between payload modules after insertion. It also reduces system size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP) by eliminating extra space for routing these cables.
The SI-9138 modules use their dynamic range and phase noise performance to analyze the system's incoming RF waveforms and digitize them using a 16-bit A/D converter sampling at 128 MHz. The digitized waveforms are time-tagged and formatted using VITA 49 Radio Transport (VRT) and are then transported on the backplane via a high-throughput x4 PCI Express interface to the XPedite7470 single-board computer for processing.
The installed modules communicate with each other over an OpenVPX backplane using PCI Express and Gigabit Ethernet. PCI Express is for sending high-bandwidth data between the SI-9138 RF receiver modules and the VITA 48 REDI XPedite7470 single-board computer, and it is routed through the OpenVPX XChange3012 PCI Express switch.
Gigabit Ethernet, meanwhile, is for sending command and control messages between the payload modules and is routed in the backplane as a dual-star configuration from each payload module through two separate 3U VPX Ethernet switches, the XChange3012 and XChange3011.
The XChange3012 can provide a switched SerDes 1000 BASE-X port to each payload module slot, while the XChange3011 provides a switched 1000BASE-T port to each payload module slot. Both of these networks could be accessed outside of the system through external Gigabit Ethernet ports from the switches.
For more information contact X-ES online at www.xes-inc.com.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
